In a decisive enforcement action, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has closed 16 food service establishments across the Greater Accra Region for operating without valid Food Hygiene Permits.
The closures, carried out on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, come exactly two weeks after the FDA issued a public ultimatum requiring all food vendors, restaurants, hotels, lounges, chop bars, bakeries and related operators to hold up-to-date hygiene certification. Establishments that failed to comply by 1 February 2026 were warned they would be shut down.
Among the high-profile businesses affected are The Cheesecake House, Dolce Frizzante, Onda and Alora Beach Resort, which were found to be operating without the mandatory documentation. In a statement posted on its official social media channels, the FDA said the enforcement is part of its ongoing effort to protect public health and ensure strict compliance with food safety standards. “Today, 16 non-compliant food service establishments in the Greater Accra Region were shut down for failing to meet regulatory requirements,” the Authority said, stressing that the action is part of a broader public health mandate.
Under Ghana’s Public Health Act, food service operators must obtain a Food Hygiene Permit after meeting specified sanitary and operational criteria before they can open their doors to the public. Failure to do so is considered a breach of food safety regulations and can attract sanctions, including closure.
The FDA further indicated that the closures are not intended to be punitive but to drive compliance and safeguard consumer safety. The directive covers a wide range of businesses ,from informal food carts and canteens in institutional settings to large restaurants and beach resorts.
Operators affected by the enforcement action are expected to rectify outstanding deficiencies, complete the permit application process and satisfy inspection requirements before being allowed to resume operations. The FDA has also urged other food service providers in the region to regularize their documents immediately to avoid similar sanctions.